During the (ever so humble, yet long) Santa Clause parade in downtown Montreal, Milana had to be held so she could see past the tall heads in front. Dahlia had prime real estate through a little opening between the crowd but Milana had to perch on top of the back of her stroller - but really she was dead weight in my arms. She even toppled over once but landed softly as the people were packed in so tight (Good thing!)

So, she was in one arm, my (heavy with zoom lens) camera held high in the other hand, trying to grab some kind of a shot. Result: blurry -at best - shots and one very tired set of arms.

Over all result: happy kids = happy mama.

And finally....the man in red himself. (Just as my arms were ready to give out.)

That's my little corner of the world.Please share with us what your “Today” is like in your part of the world and link up with Communal Global!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

This little girl, who was so quiet and sad and clingy has morphed into this

(so, so pretty, if I do say so myself) larger than life, bundle of joy.

And she's just so happy!! Happy, happy, happy almost all the time!

When she sees food, she fairly shrieks with glee. As we leave the front door, she bounds out and down the steps with so much energy as if to say "Hey world...it's me. I'm here!!!" Whenever she sees any of us, even if she saw us 5 minutes before, she'll run up and give hugs. At her school when I pick her up - she shrieks and jumps like a monkey into my arms, sounds tumbling out trying to show me her new pigtails or a drawing - leaps out of my arms again and hugs every little kid left in the classroom and all, yes all the teachers and director before leaving, bouncing down the stairs shrieking with total euphoria.

(I should bottle and sell it.)

She's a whirlwind. (I'm hearing strains of "how do you solve a problem like Maria?".) And most days we are panting (Dahlia too) to keep up with her.

Milana - our 3 year old - is living up to her nickname - Miss Wild Thang - very well!

The only thing she's not really doing is talking much. And we're working on that.

Here is where she began.

I can hardly look at this picture (taken in our hotel room in China).Those eyes - they say it all!

Then newly home.

Then it was Milana's 2nd birthday.

It is Wednesday too, so pop over to Lisa's and check out all the other captures today.

In the new year, Milana really started to blossom.

What a precious gift you are Milana. You brighten up even the dullest day, make our heads spin and yet your spirit is so soft.

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Hi, I'm Wanda. I am a happy woman, wife to Danny for...oh....lots a years and finally Mom to THE most adorable little girl from Hunan, China - Dahlia. And now we have been blessed again with another daughter, Milana, from Zhejiang, China. (The 2 best things I've ever done!)
We live in the Montreal area. After a loooonnngg wait for Dahlia's little sister Milana (pronounced - Mee-lana, like banana), we finally brought her home in August 2009. Dahlia came to us in Nov 2004 (at 20 months of age)and a year later we began the application for another baby - at the time the waiting period was around 8 months. Almost 4 years later (say what!?!)we, at last, brought Milana home.
This began as the story of our journey to bring Milana home and life with her big sister, Dahlia. It now continues as we live as a family of four!

God.
My (growing) family.
Hangin' out with my girlies.
My wonderful friends (you know who you are!).
To laugh (out loud and a lot!).
Music.
Painting. Hugs.
Long chats with my buds.
My garden.
To read (ha...when I can!).
Sunshine.
Spring, Spring and more Spring.
Building things.
Cooking.
Decorating.
Parties (ahem).
The internet.
Life.
Movies. A.I.
Dancing with the stars.
So you think you can dance.
Travel. Umm..did I say laughing my head off.
Oh Gee...everything actually!!